The Question of Identity: Ethnicity, Language, Religion, and Gender

Before Islam: Overview

Image Resource Bank

Head of a Nubian

This sculpted head of a Nubian captive depicted Nubia in the state art of New Kingdom Egypt. The Nubian head was originally placed under Pharaoh's "window of appearances" in the memorial temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu.

Deep wrinkles on the forehead may represent ritual scarification, which is still practiced among some groups living along the Nile. The sculpture was one of many stereotyped images the Egyptians used to depict groups foreign to them. Besides Nubians, these included Libyans, Syrians, Semites, and other western Asiatics.